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Find out who can get free NHS tests, how to get tested, and what your test result means.
- Overview
- Background information
Over 90% of community pharmacies in England now offering free, rapid tests for home use.
Nine in ten pharmacies across England are now distributing free rapid lateral flow tests for people to collect and use at home.
Rapid, regular testing is now available to everyone in England and the new ‘Pharmacy Collect’ service provides an additional route to regular testing, making it as easy as possible for people without COVID-19 symptoms to access testing twice a week.
The Pharmacy Collect service is available to people aged over 18 without symptoms, who are able to visit a participating local pharmacy and collect a box of 7 rapid tests to use twice a week at home.
Alongside the rollout of the vaccine, testing will form a crucial part of everyday life as parts of society reopen. Around 1 in 3 people with coronavirus don’t have symptoms, which means they can spread the virus without knowing it. Regular testing continues to play a critical role in stopping the spread of the virus and breaking the chains of transmission.
An online checker has launched so people can find their nearest pharmacy offering free rapid test kits.
The test kits will be provided free of charge to anyone requesting them with one box of test kits per person.
All pharmacies that sign up to deliver the service will receive a set-up fee and a transaction fee every time a member of the public collects a kit.
Each box contains 7 LFDs. This allows the person to test themselves twice weekly within a 3-week timeframe. This number of tests in the box factors in the potential for a void test.
The majority of pharmacies have test kits available but we are aware that some pharmacies are unable to immediately order test kits. Stock is being replenished to wholesalers on a daily basis with deliveries being made to pharmacies within a matter of days in order to meet demand.
Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 – a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – should book a PCR test online or by calling 119.
Getting a rapid test is quick and convenient. Rapid tests are available through:
- Department of Health And Social Care
Feb 18, 2021 · The home testing service is available to everyone in the United Kingdom with COVID-19 symptoms, and can still be accessed through the home testing online portal.
- Department of Health And Social Care
Order COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests. You can no longer order free rapid lateral flow or polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) tests from the NHS online. You may still be able to get free rapid...
- Order COVID-19 rapid lateral flow testsYou might be eligible to order a free pack of rapid lateral flow tests to be sent to your home. Use this service to: check if you’re eligible to or...
- Order rapid lateral flow tests onlineYou can order one pack every 3 days if you’re eligible. A pack contains 7 tests. Your test pack will usually arrive within 3 days. It might take lo...
- Get help with your orderCall 119 if: you’re eligible to order rapid lateral flow tests and you cannot use the online service your test pack does not arrive within 5 days o...
- Other ways to get rapid lateral flow testsFind out: where to get rapid lateral flow tests in Scotland where to get rapid lateral flow tests in Northern Ireland
- If you have a problem with your test kitIf anything in your COVID-19 test kit was missing or damaged, or you were harmed using the test kit, report the problem online or call 119. Do not...
- After you’ve taken your testReport rapid lateral flow test results the day you or someone in your household takes the test, no matter what the result is. Find out what you nee...
- If you need medical advice about your symptomsGet help at: England: NHS 111 online COVID-19 service Scotland: NHS inform Wales: NHS 111 Wales Northern Ireland: get advice from a GP or GP out-of...
Dec 20, 2023 · Where can you get a Covid test? Routine Covid testing is not recommended, and most people can't get free tests via the NHS. You may still be able to get free NHS tests if you:
May 3, 2022 · Most people in England and Scotland can no longer get free PCR or lateral flow tests (LFTs). A few groups are still entitled to free Covid tests, including the most vulnerable, as well as...
